Union gets blasted by a tornado, no fatalities

Efforts have begun to clean up Union University after a tornado ripped though campus last night, leaving 50-some students injured and numerous buildings destroyed.

The small Southern Baptist-affiliated school was hit by a tornado around 7 p.m., at which time it destroyed about 40 percent of the campus housing and severely damaged another 40 percent. The roofs of Jennings and White Halls, the two newest academic buildings, were ripped off as the tornado swept across the 120-acre campus. Cars were overturned and destroyed, leaving many students without transportation to safe housing.

For now, students are being urged to register with the Red Cross so they may be easily accounted for and found by parents by calling 731-427-5543.

No official word yet on what donations are needed, although students have been saying everything is gone, so clothing, toiletries, food and general supplies will doubtless be needed in the coming days.

Check here for up-to-date information.

Video footage is available here of the tornado, along with an interview with student Candra Pennington. The Jackson Sun is also keeping up with the footage.